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The Mandalorian: Chapter 15: The Believer (2020)
Redfish Review: A Shining Standard
Going in to Chapter 15, I was hesitant that Disney would take Baby Yoda's separation as an excuse to conduct a season wide scavenger hunt, which at the highest surface level, this episode may seem to become, however through some of the most well shot action sequences in modern history, an immaculate attention to character development, and a genuine purpose for each character to fulfill, Episode 15: The Believer, is one of the best pieces of Star Wars content in recent memory, period. From the start, character motivations are clear and concise, with no actions seeming out of place or unjustified in relation to the plot, of which occurs much more than I prefer on this show due to story holes and an unwillingness to allow the series to be carried by it's characters as opposed to its cameos. For instance, Boba Fett is not portrayed as a mythic figure here, but is given a believable reason for assisting the team, and is competent without feeling invincible because of it. Bill Burr's character is given some fantastic subtle backstory as well, that ends up showing actual impact on the narrative as a whole. The Empire also sees itself as very subjective in terms of how pure or evil they really may be. Characters are glad to see them in situations that benefit them, yet show an intense hatred toward those very personnel when their true colors are shown. This is screenwriting as it was always meant to be. Plot facilitated by character with both given equal attention to affect one another. Rick Famuyiwa marvels in his ability to balance solid coverage of a scene so the audience is aware of the geography, but allows for tight shots and action beats to carry a scene, creating noticeable tension and elimination the possibility of a easy out. Morals are questioned, the sides between right and wrong blur, and The Mandalorian is truly depicted and determined to save his child, no matter how many bodies will be spilled along the way. Cinema at its best is able to immerse an audience through intelligent cinematography and plot beats, while allowing them to connect with character's whose motives genuinely challenge their own beliefs. I hereby give this episode my full stamp of approval, and simply hope that Disney understands just how vital this progression and weight truly is. As the most professionally written and directed episode in the series thus far, I can now go to sleep at night.
The Mandalorian: Chapter 14: The Tragedy (2020)
Back on Track
Whereas previous installments of the aforementioned Mandalorian Season 2 suffered from painfully slow pacing due to its fear of progression and genuine decision making, Chapter 14 entitled "The tragedy" sees just the opposite. So many times in the past, this show has promised massive thrills and spontaneous, character driven plot points, but never delivered, leaving the audience in a state of endless anticipation, as if the show would continue forever, hinting, hinting, gone. Chapter 14 however, genuinely contains actual plot beats in which substantial action occurs and choices are undoubtedly made by our lead characters. We see that the studio and writers alike finally decided to separate Baby Yoda, or Grogu from the Mandalorian, leaving him in a state of desperation and despair. We've all known since the beginning of cinema that the actions that define character the most, are those that come at one's most vulnerable and uncomfortable moments. The Dark Troopers do make an exciting entrance and yield genuine purpose, as they wisk Grogu away for another episode I am actually now excited to see. On the contrary, Boba Fetts Return didn't feel unmotivated, but I felt as though the cinematography didn't give him the justice he deserved, devoid of any close-ups, dramatic wides, or variation in the usual Disney coverage. There were also many wildly strange lens distortions and flairs during a few of the action shots, which I initially figured was in an attempt to replicate the stormtrooper perspective, but seems to just have been a fault with the equipment. In addition, the main hill slopes and settings weren't color graded in a way that didn't convince anyone, that the ancient temple was definitely not built in the hills of Hollywood. All minor gripes aside, Mandalorian Chapter 14 provides a story that actually proves impactful in relation to the larger narrative, with characters now in actual danger, heroes left without script-given excuses, and a pace that feels energized and ready for more. Apart from a few cinematographic issues and strange delivery, Chapter 14 is absolutely a step in the right direction, a step that the Mandalorian desperately needed to take. 8/10
The Mandalorian: Chapter 12: The Siege (2020)
An Ace in the Gaping Hole
Subtlety Strikes! Once again the rapidly loyal Star Wars fan base has been greeted again with yet another weekly installment that feels all too unimportant and irrelevant to the larger storyline as a whole. With some plot points that are presented assuming the audience is already aware of them, to some unfortunately forgettable and unmotivated direction, I genuinely felt as though Episode 12 had hit a narrative dead end. However, with some much needed levity and a massively satisfying revelation, this installment may prove to be one of the most seemingly useless but vital in the entire series as we know it. Without risking the occurrence of spoilers, I cannot delve into this revelation any further, but as it nicely gratifies and answers questions from all the back in season one, fans are sure to appreciate the attention to continuity, whether it was planned from the beginning or not. Unfortunately however, apart from the exciting hint at a master plot point that has been completely absent, yet existent in the entire series, the substance of the episode genuinely ceases to exist as well. The score for this episode despite its weak script, I felt included some fantastic subtle pieces of instrumentation that really helped improve the weight of many weightless scenes. Onto the Meat of the story-
Potential Spoilers ahead:
Other than that massive revelation I mentioned earlier, which I won't mention unless someone is accidentally reading this far; the episode itself sees Mando on yet another fetch quest to exterminate very easily disposable stormtroopers in a even more disposable base. Audiences have seen this story more times than I can count on one hand, and this is not to extend for a high five. Infiltrating a base for "reasons" does not constitute as engaging cinema, at least for myself. I simply wish that these filmmakers who have been proven effective as creating emotion and genuine stakes, would apply those same talents here. However, we are simply left with Mando and friends running around corridors in one of the most visually disappointing episodes of the series. I genuinely root for the writers of this series, to simply find the confidence to end hinting at exciting things, and just show them instead. They have the budget, and they have the talent, it's time for the real story to begin. It's time for hope, a new hope.
The Mandalorian: Chapter 10: The Passenger (2020)
The Dangerous But Distinguishable
Whereas the first episode garnering the Mandalorian Season 2 review possessed weak acting, a non-believable plot thread, and some interesting yet unmotivated directorial decisions, Episode 2: "The Passenger" instead provides a seemingly stereotypical but much more closely knit, and palpable story with a genuine sense of dread and danger because of it. Capitalizing on the theme of family much more effectively here, Mando doesn't find himself escaping impossible odds, or engaging in random heroic duties for the sake of the script. Instead he finds himself isolated, not only in the episodes primary setting, but also from the law. A solid commentary of the new transition of potent power rings true with the rebel alliance, as the audience is now truly hit with a realistic reality check that Mando can no longer simply wreak havoc among the galaxy with no consequences to come. While many have accused this episode of pertaining to filler material, I feel that as long as the coming episodes of the future capitalize on this dormant and docile journey of episode 2, the reveals to come will feel more deserved and satisfying due to the long, yet entertaining wait. On its own, the story does not provide a neat, and safely packaged narrative with a stark beginning middle and end. This however sparks my main concern with the series at this point. Warning: Spoilers ahead
Spoiler potential content: Being that by the end of this titular episode, we see Mando understanding more about himself as a character, yet ceasing to progress objectively throughout a seemingly nonexistent story, it feels as though the writers here have almost positioned themselves in a corner, with that corner simply changing in aesthetic style every week. This does feel like a bit of a side quest-esque episode, but is thankfully saved by the hope that its slowly burning nature and lack of Mandalorian invincibility should serve as a harbinger for even more fateful events to come. The real story must begin, as the entire series seems to feel like a never-ending first act.